The Princess's Rebellion

Chapter 1: The Darkest Night

"Mother, what're stars made of?"

"No one quite knows for sure. They are just specks of light that shine down from the night sky."

"Mother, how far away is the moon?"

"No one knows, but there are some estimates. But it's too far away to travel to."

"Mother, why is the sun gone at night?"

"Because it's exhausted after hearing your inconsequential questions!"

Rebecca giggled when her mom said that. To be fair, she had to admit that she was asking tough questions. But her mother still tries to answers them.

Rebecca turned away from her mom and looked out the open window. Stars dotted the endless dark blue expanse of the night sky. Not a cloud was visible, making it easy to see the light from the moon. Rebecca sighed wistfully. She had always dreamed of touching the stars.

She turned back to her mom, who was comfortably seated on the window seat next to her. The soft velvet cushions were placed upon the curved window seat, which was an addition requested by her mother.

Rebecca looked at her, her eyes noticing everything about her all at once. She was dressed in a cozy baby blue nightgown, like her own, with small ruffles on her shoulders and legs. The color complimented her dark blue eyes, which Rebecca inherited from her. She also inherited her wavy black hair, and at the moment braided back, but while Rebecca's was draped over her right shoulder, her mother's was tied neatly in a bun.

Finally, Rebecca yawned and her mother invited her to lay in her lap. She curled up in her mother's arms, resting her head on her chest and let her body sit on top of her crossed legs. The silence in the room was all but eerie, the quietness soothing her mind. Before Rebecca could doze off, her mother murmured, "The sun and moon work in shifts; when it's time for bed, the sun disappears while the moon comes out to light the night."

"That's not true."

"Well, I don't have an answer for everything."

"I wish I did. I want to know everything, so I can understand why everything happens."

"So do I." A sudden cough came from her, rough and intense.

Silence returned. Rebecca yawned once more, ready for sleep, until the door creaked open. Rebecca and her mother looked up to see a figure standing in the doorway. Her mother tensed instantly, her face paling slightly, her hands shaking. But Rebecca smiled at the person. He promised he'd come to join them.

Finally, the moonlight shifted onto the figure. A tall broad-shouldered man stood in the dull light. He was wearing his usual gray night clothes, the faint blue stripes barely visible in the dark. When Rebecca's mother recognized him, she noticeably relaxed, she shoulders sagging but her hands still slightly trembling.

But Rebecca did not hesitate. She jumped to her feet surprisingly quickly and ran to her dad. A moment before impact she leaped forward into him. A squeal escaped her lips as she felt him wrap his arms around her and lift her up in the air. She giggled as he pretended to gasp for a breathe when he picked her up, and cried out when he twirled her around before finally resting her gently on the window seat she was just occupying. He let out a grunt as he did so and leaned against the wall as if he was exhausted from carrying a person twice his weight.

"I hope you don't treat other nobles in that way, my princess," Rebecca's father teased.

Rebecca faked-bristled, "What am I, a 6-year-old? I would do nothing of the sorts!"